Electromechanical valve mechanism for timing and controlling blasts on fire-alarm whistles and the like



Fl Wn lELECTRMECHANICAL VALVE MECHANISM FQR TIMING AND CON'TROIJLING BLASTS 0N FIRE ALARM WHISTLES AND THE LIKE.

F. W. COLE. vELECTROMECHANICAL VALVE MECHANISM FORITIMING AND CONTROLLING BLASTS 0N FIRE ALARM WHISTLES AND THE lLIKE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 2s, 19H.

Patented sept. 21, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3l Zwin 655. Jzven 302".

Ff W.. COLE. ELEcTRoMEcHANlcAL VALVE MEGHA'NISM foR nvuNG AND coNTRoLLlNG BLAsTs oN y rma/msm wmsnes AND mums. I APPLICATION FILED MAY 28. 191 41,353,317, PatentedSept. 21,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3. 5a LLI-Jlllil' 4 /01 y//bw www F. W. COLE. ELECTROMECHANICAL VALVE MECHANISM FOR TIMING AND CONTROLLING BLASTS '0N FIRE ALARM WHISTLES AND THF.A LIKE.

' APPLICATION mep MAY2a.1s11. y l 1,353,317. -PatentedSDb 21,1920.

Mpw E 'M ucla...

UNITED s'ra'rlisv PATENT orrlcr.. ff

FREDERICK W. COLE, 0E NEWTON EICELANDS, MAssACi-rnsnrraAssIGNoEVTo THE GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEWTON UPPER IEALLS,VK

IASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. v

ELECTROMECHANIGAL VALVE MECHANISM FOR TIMING- ANI) CONTROLLING BLAST v ON FIRE-ALARM WHISTLES AND THE LIKE.

To all whom/ may concern.

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. COLE, a

lcitizen of the United States, residing at Newton Highlands, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Electromechanical Valve Mechanism for Timing and Controlling Blasts on Fire-Alarm Whistles and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to anautomatic electro-mechanical valve for timing and controlling the admission of steam, compressed air or the like to a diaphone, whistle, or other sound-producing instrument.

Valves of this character are preferably arranged to have the pressure of the air or steam hold the valve tight against its valve seat, and to provide a piston of larger diameter than the valve to be operated by the air or steam to lift the valve from its seatA and to have the pressure of the steam or air to operate this piston controlled by a small controlling, or pilot valve which can be in' thatwill positively operate in response to the operations of the magnet, and in turn allow or cause positive prompt and reliable operation of the valve operating mechanism.

After the whistle valve is opened, it is essential that it shall stay open long enough to cause an efficient blast on the whistle. One of theobjects of this invention is to provide positively operating and improved mechanism" for insuring an efficient length vof blast. After the blast has continued for a length of time to be efficient, it is desirable that it shall be immediately stopped, without regard to the condition of the controlling circuit. Another object, therefore, is to provide an improved eieent means whereby this' is accomplished. It is desirable that, after the parts have operated to open the controlling valve, they shall be automatically restored and reset by the operation of the valve controlling piston, and without injury, as from poundingby its quick operation. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide such means. l a

It is desirable that the valve operating and controlling mechanism shall not be required to be manually wound or require manual attention toj enable it to be re eatedly operated in response to alarms. nother object Y Specification of Letters Patent. ajiented Sept y21', 19.20. v Application filed May 28, 1917. Serial No. 171,375. 'i

of'this invention is to provide improved i means whereby this is accomplished from the operation of the valve operating piston.

After theoperating parts have been restored, it is desirable that the device controlled by the'magnet shall not be again;

operative until the whistle. valve itself has again completely closed to bring to an end the noise of one. blast completely before the valve couldl be again openedfory another. One of the objects of the present invention,

therefore, is lto provide an automatic me-v chanical lock for the actuating parts and which will serve to hold the actuating means Y against possibility of release through influence of the external controlling means until the main valve is completely closed.- Y

It is desirable that the operations of the whistle valve shall be prompt both in opening and closing, that the blasts shall be definite and clear. One of the objects of the invention is to provide means for accom-I plishing this end in a simple manner by the use of an improved form of dash pot which is operated in one direction by aspring ycompressed by the valve piston in opening and which, therefore, allows quick opening of the valve. This dash-pot piston is constructed for normal retardation in movement in lone direction to time a blast, after the valve is open, and for free operation inv in movement in one direction and free leak- 'age cylinder lit inthe opposite movement.

It is desirable that the time element of these valve, the specific structureinvolving a piston constructed for non-leakage cylinder t valves shall be adjustable to meet the unit time lof signals in the fire alarm systems in which they may be used, and Yone object of Voperative relation. y

Fig. 7 is a detail illustrating particularly the means by which the mechanical lock is Figure 1 is a side elevation of the im-A proved valve-controlling andl coperating parts. j

Fig..2 is a planV of the same. Fig. 3 is an endV view. Fig. 4 is a side elevation, the parts being shown in released or operating position.

Fig. 5 is a similar view, partly in section,

lshowing the positionsof the parts as .the

restoring mechanism starts the restoringv action. v

Fig. `@Vis a similar view illustrating the positions of the parts at the endl of the restoring action, with the mechanical lock in released in the return of the restoring mechani'sin to normal or initial position.

Fig. v8 is al longitudinal sectional view `showing the interior arrangement of the main valve, dash-pot and related parts.

Fig. 9 isa section on line 9 9 in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 isf a sectional detail 'illustrating particularly the pilot valve Vand the means for operating and for locking the same, taken on line 10-10 Fig. 9.

Fig. 1l is an elevation of the piston on the dash-pot.

Fig. 12 is a detail of the ldouble locking release controlled bythe magnet.

The main valve is here'shown as of vthe general globe type comprising a casing 1 having an intermediate `valve seat 2 'and an inlet 3 and outlet itat opposite sides of said seat.. The main valve 5 is fiXed'upon a valve stem 6, said main valve having a solid end which may be packed or otherwise itted'to coperate with the seat 2.

' The valve case 1 is fitted or formed with an extension la" forming a cylinder, open to the Y inlet pressure, andy in which is arranged an operating piston 7 of' much larger diameter .than the valve, and which is secured upon Y the. valve stem. Thereis a vrestricted leakage Vlit between this piston and the cylinder vto normally allow a balance of pressure at each side thereof. The cylinder 1a, lseeFig. 10, communicates at the end remote from the inlet 3, with a relief port 8` opening into a'r'eli'ef cylinder 9, arranged as an offset to the cylinder 1a. The cylinder 9'is interiorly provided with a removable seat 10, arranged between the relief port 8 and the outlet 11 from the relief cylinder to the atmosphere. The relief valve 12 is secured upon a valve stem 13 slidably arranged in the'relief cylinder and near the relatively forward end is provided or formed with aA collar 14 slidably guided in an opening in the cylinder wall to serve as a closing piston for the valve, and at its outer end or shoulder to serve -asan abutment for locking the relief valve in open position.- This valve is closed by a spring 15, bearing against one end of the stem, and seated in a channel in a plug 16, removably closing the rear end of the relief cylinder.

The main valve case is formed iny advance of the valve, that is, on the o utlet side of the valve casing with an extension 17 forming a j cylinder' in which is arranged a piston 18 open to the outlet pressure side ofthe main valve, and serving under restoring 'condiing forwardly from the side edgesof the' plate and adjacent one end has a toggle lever connection, through sections 21, 21a, with a spring-pressed relief valve operating rod 22, slidably mounted in a sleeve extension 23 of the plate, and arranged in line with AtheA relief valve stem 13, as clearly shown in F igs.

5 and 10. The relief valve actuating rod is moved, to' open the valve,rby a spring 25 bearing between the guide sleeve of the rod and the collar 26,v adjustably secured upon the rod, the rod being of such lengththat,

'85 tions to receive the pressure of the steam or when the rod is withdrawn and the relief valve closed, the adjacent ends of the parts are immediately adjacent, but avoid direct contact. This rod is held withdrawn when the three 'pivotal points ofthe toggle levers 21 and 21, which form a link connection from the 'lever 21 to the operating rod 22,

age, it'is in its most extended condition, and when it is most compressed, the leversare,"

working at their greatest advantage. This construction allows the'.` fullest rforce of the spring to open the valve because the operating or holding shaft V20, when once released, is perfectly free to moveand without restraining influence against the valve opening spring.

VSecured *uponv an extension of the sleeve A resetting shaft 29 is rotatably supported in ears 30, projecting forwardly from the frame plate 19 above the operating shaft. This shaft supports the parts by whichthe mechanism is locked initially against operation, and through which said parts are restored. The improved valve is here shown for Specific use in giving a fire alarm signal, under which circumstances the external control will be from signal impulses gov ernedV by a remote signaling apparatus, operating through an electromagnet as 31, mounted upon the upper face' of an insulating block 31, supported on the plate 19 against the same face. The electroma'gnet has an armature 32 mounted on an insulating block 322L which is fastened to alever 33 c terminally formed to provide what is'well known as a double lock 34, illustrated more particularly in F ig. 12l of the drawings. The mounting of these parts on the same face of a flat insulator, as slate, insures their always being in line without regard to variations in thickness of the insulator. Secured upon the resetting shaft 29 is a locking army 35, having one terminal Vformed for coperation with-this double lock terminal 34 of the lever 33, carried bythe armature of the electromagnet.

-The resetting shaft, when released,` as by the breaking of the normally-closed signalV circuit, is moved in the operative direction, as vshown by Fig. 5, under the infiuence of a spring 37. The Aupper end of this spring connection is, ingeffect, in Vthe, form of a toggle, with' onel section 39 secured' to the resetting shaft, while the other section 40 v is connected to the free end of the sectionv there is a comparatively small load on the y armature of the magnet, permitting said'armature' to move positively and freely in re sponse to the magnet.

The resetting Vshaft carries a resetting and 'holding arm 41, preferably integral withthe vsection 39, which resetting arm is preferably divided atits lower end to form spaced sections 42` and 43, see Fig'.

3, which `sections are arranged on opposite sides ofA and depend below the operative plane of the valve rod, andare preferably connected in a manner to supporta roller- 44. The operating shaft 20 has ank arm 45 secured thereto and adapted to engage with this roller 44 of the resetting arm to be' reset thereby, and the coperation of these arms in normal restoredy positions serves to prevent movement of the operating Vshaft while the resetting shaft is held by the ar, mature of the controlling magnet.

The main valve rod extends through thev plate 19 on a plane between the respective resetting and operating shafts, and slidalolyl mounted on the rod is the resetting mem-l ber. which normally abuts againsty a shoulder onl the piston rod which holds itl in a forward restored position. The resetting member comprises end yokes 46 andl 47, ad justably connected to rods 48, which rods are slidably mounted in appropriate bearing openings49 in thestructure. lThe forward yoke 46 on the resettingmemberI has a central sleeve extension 50, through which' the 4main valve rod is adapted to pass, and

the sleeve 50 abuts against a shoulder'on the valve rod. -Thissleeve constitutes the housing for an operating spring' 51, which terminally seats within said housing bearing at one end against the inner end of the housing, andA at the opposite end againstV a spring retainer '52, loosely encircling the main valverod, at the free end vthereof and adjustably held thereon, by a nut 53, engaging the threaded terminal of theb rod. The relatively near or inner end of the sprin. housing 50 constitutes a solid, face, adapte in the movement of the. resetting member to engage projections 54 on the forward edges of'thefresetting arm, afterv the main valve has opened carryingits stem forward, so that its shouldered part has moved away` from the end of the resetting device. outer end of ther valve stem'compresses the spring inside the housing t-ocauseit to in turn drive the restoring device forward to operate the'arm 41 in a resetting direction upon the opening of themain valve.

Asf this arm 41 is moved forward, its roller 44 will engage the arm 45 and return the operating shaft 20 to its normal posi-v tion. The toggle link connection 21a to the arm 21 also restores the operating rod 22 ofthe relief valve and thereby compresses its operating spring 25, leaving the relief valve locked in its open position, held there by its L-shaped' locking lever or latch 27.

The resetting'member carries a `rod 75,

, secured to its forward yoke 46, and this rod extends through an opening in the plate 19, and the upper endportion of the latch or L-shaped locking lever 27 is arranged in the path of movement of this rod. This rod is of asuch length, that Contact is had to move The' the locking lever 27, and release or unlock the relief valve for automatic closing, just prior to the full forward movement of the resetting member. The closing of the relief valve will, of course, follow, and the balance of pressure will be restored around vthe large piston connected to the main valve, and permit the pressure acting against the closing piston 18 to close the main valve.

As heretofore stated, one of the objects of 72,A of a locking pin 73, projecting rfrom the resetting shaft 29. The spring'liousing 50 of the resetting member, is provided with a laterally projecting pin 74C, see Fig. 7 arranged Vin front of`and in the path of the lever 69 to hold the lever 69 out of engage.- ment with the pin 73 when the 'main valve is closed. As the resetting member moves operatively, under the influence of its spring, when the partsare beingreset, and after the lever 35 has been restored past theV double locking projections Blon the armature lever and vbefore the relief valveis unlocked, the lockingpin 73 Vrides into locking copera tion beneath the notch 71` of lever 69, whichV leverV 69 has then been. permitted by the forward movement of the pin 74 to be moved by its spring into the path of this locking pin 73 of the resetting shaft, as shown in Fig. 6. After the relief valve has been unlocked and has closed, and while the vresetting member is being moved in its reverse direction by the shoulder on the stem of the mainvalve in closing, the notch 71 ofthe lever 69 will catch the square terminal 7 2 of the locking pin .73, and hold the resetting shaft 29 and locking bar 35 from returning to their normal position until the resetting 4member is again moved to'nearly the limit of'its movement, by the closing of the main valve, when the pin 74fengages and moves the lever 69to release the locking pin. The locking bar 35, while under the mechanical lock of lever 69,'is slightlybeyond'the locking influence of the doublelock controlled by the armature,so that when said mechanical lock is released, Ythe lever 33 is'only then permittedto move so as toy be again within the influence of the double lock controlled by the armature, and the parts are then reset and in their normal position ready' for another operation in response to aV signal.

A whistle valve to be efficient for fire 'alarm' signals mustl not onlyopen promptly compresses a spring which in turn causes the operation of timing and resetting devices, and it will remain open until they have properly operated. In order to get a proper timing of the length of blast to give best results in the systemrof which the valve may form a part, there is provided, as part of this valve controlling mechanism an im-Y proved form of dash-pot, and the rear yoke 47 of the resetting member is connected to the stem 55 of this dash-pot piston 56. The piston is'mountedfor movement in a dashpot cylinder 57, secured tothe end of the balance cylinder la, the head of the dashpot cylinder providing an end wall for the balance cylinder. The movement'of the resetting apparatus in restoring the operating levers to normal is in the same direction as the opening movement of the main valve, and is retarded in this operation by the dash-pot. This resetting movementV is gained through the spring 51, which is put under tension to move the resetting member, when the balance on thev operating piston of the main valve is destroyed and said main valve is moved to open position.k

As the resetting member resets the Imechanism in its travel following the opening of the main valve, it is apparent that the main valve must remain open at least throughout a corresponding period of time. Furthermore, it is desirable that, in returning the parts, that is, the resetting member andV the valve stem to a normal position after a resetting operation, the dash-pot piston be practically free to move in such direction, being retarded Vonly in the opposite' direc'- a tion. The improvedV dash-pot, therefore, is

constructed with a view to insuring Aa parc ticular retardation in vmovement of the dash-pot 1n one direction and a compara-v tively free movement in the opposite dispeciic requirements of the system'y in which it is used. This dash-potpiston comprises a circular plate-like body having a periph- 1 eral channeled edge 58. In the channel are arranged suitable' packing elements, such for example, as split piston rings 59. The width of the channel, as-'compared with the' Less-,er1

combined similar dimension of the rings or other packing, permits a limited free play of the packing axially of the piston. One wall of the channel 58, that is, the wall against which the piston rings will bear inthe retarded movement of the piston, is of true circular shape having an unbroken peripheral edge,fsubstantially coextensive with-the diameter or' the cylinder. The opposite piston wall 60 of such channel, or that wall against which the packing rings will bear in what is desired as a free movement of the dash-pot piston, is `formed with a series of depressions or openings 61, of any desired shape, which extend below the packing rings. The dash-pot piston thus presents an unbroken full diameter wall against which the packing rings contact in the retarded movement of the dash-pot, serving to prevent free air leakage around the piston; the opposite wall, however,'per mits free passage of air under and past the rings in the movement of the piston in the return direction, so that such return movement is comparatively free. At an appropriate point, the dash-pot piston is also formed with an opening 62, constituting a port or passage from one side of the piston to the other, through the piston. A time limit member coperates with this opening in the piston, such member comprising a head 63, which, for a portion of its length, snugly fits the port' 62, to prevent the passage of air` therethrough. The remaining length of thehead is cut away at 64, so that when the piston reaches a position to permit the cut-away portion 64 of the; time limit member to register with the inner face of the piston, an air leak will be provided which will then allow free passage of the air from one to the otherside, and avoid further retardation. This time-limiting member is provided with a stem r65, threaded in a sleeve extension 66, projecting from a head 67, removably arranged to entirely close the dash-pot cylinder. 'The actuating end of the stem 65 is provided with a lock nut 68, whereby it may be locked in position after manual adjustment. Obviously, the adjustment of the time-limiting member axially of the cylinder will determine the point in the travel of the piston at which the retarding pressure will be relieved. Therefore, the time limit @of the operative movement ofthe resetting member and of the main valve, and the blast. may thus be easily and accurately governed. The head 67 effectively closes the dash-pot cylinder and prevents possibility of dust and dirt from depositing around the piston within the cylinder to destroy its eiliciency, which is an important feature where adashpot must stand exposed continuously j and without manual attention, and. yet must be always ready for correct working.

' The timingelement ofV this valve is not only of value in causing a proper blast kfor an alarm, but in retarding, as it does, thel restoring or resetting mechanism to insure that such parts will not be injuredV or destroyed by any excessive pounding' from sudden resetting operations, and it thus insures enduring, reliable, and eliicient service from the valve.V o

In a valve operating and controlling mechanism ofthis type, where such mechanism is secured directly tothe valve casing, or in proximity-tothe valve stem by which it is operated, there is a liability of the steeliand iron parts becoming rusted, and their eiiciencyy destroyed, due to moisture from the steam or compressed air escaping around the piston valve stem, and coming into Ycontact with them each time thevalve is operated. As a means to prevent the air or steam flowing past thevvalve 18 and reaching the working parts of the mecha.- nism on the .plate 19, the said plate, in alinement with the valve cylinder 17, and concentric with the opening for the main valve rod, is recessed at 76, and within the recess and about the main valve rod is arranged a split packing rin0g78, which, of its own spring action, hugs the valve rod and is pressed tightly against the side wall when the valve is opened, to thereby lprevent passage .of moisture around the stem. Furthermore, the piston cylinder 17 is formed in its forward portion with a largerelief outletv 79, communicating with anl exhaustpipe 80, toV give free outlet to whatever moisture may pass through piston 18, thus preventing pressure. yagainst the ring of enough-force to drive moisture out past the `piston stem and againstthe working parts of the mechanism.

^ lin the normal and unoperated condition of the valve mechanism above described the electromagnet 31 is energized to hold the resetting arm 41 in the position shown in Fig. l and the toggle associated withgthe pilot valve operating mechanism is in its closed position and the pilot valve is closed by its controlling spring 15, and said toggle members are restrained in such position by arm 41 controlled by the 4lockingarm 35. The valve 5is held on its seat by an equal pressure of steam that is maintained on each side of the valve operating piston 7 by the leakage past said piston. The dash pot piston 56 is at the lower part of its stroke as shown in Fig. 8, being moved into and held in such position by said valve 5 or its stem 6. Upon a break of the electric circuit controlling the electromagnet, as during the sending of a signal over said circuit and the consequent denergization of said electromagnet the armature 32 is permitted to retract` to unlockpthe locking arm 35. Said locking arm is consequently moved by its spring 37 into an operated position andl theroller 44 carried by the arm 41 is moved away from the cam 45`secured to the operating shaft 20 controlling the pilot valve. The toggle members 21 and 21a are consequently permitted to move, by the 4spring 25, into open position to permit the pilot valve operating member 22 to move upwardly to engage the pilot valve stem 13 to consequently movethe pilot valve 12 from its seat. This operation permits the steam to escape from the space between the cylinder 1fL andthe .top of the piston 7 to cause the unbalancing of the main valve 5 which is thereby moved upward to permit steam to flow through the valve and the blast to be sounded. As said pilot valve is moved upward, the enlarged portion 14 of the stem of said valve is moved past the end of the locking member 27 and said locking member is moved by-its spring under said enlarged portion to thereby maintain the pilot valve off its seat to hold the main valve 5 off vits seat for the sending of a blast of efficient length.

' When the main valve 5 is moved upward by the unbalancing of the piston 7 the spring 51 surrounding the stem of said valve is compressed and atfthe same time the enlarged portion of said valve stem is moved away from the tube or sleeve 50 of the yoke 46. The compression of said spring 51 serves to actuate said yoke 46 and thef rods 48 secured thereto to Amove the piston 56 of the ,dash pot upward within the cylinder 57 which movement is retardedv by said dash pot until the slotted portion 64 of the pin V63 is adjacent the lower end'of the face of said piston 56 whereupon an unrestricted flow of air into the space between said piston and the cylinder of the dash pot is permitted and the piston and associated mechanism may be consequently rapidly moved upward y by the spring 51.

When the tube or sleeve 50 approaches the limit of upwaidmovement, it engages the projections 54 of the arm 41 and during the further inward movement serves vto move said arm toward the body of the main valve and moves the arms associated therewith into the position shown in Fig. 1.

lSaid arm, in its resetting movement, en-

` gages through the cam roller 43 the cam arm 45of the operating shaft 2O and serves to return the operating mechanism and the toggle members 21 and 21a to their normally closed position. The' locking arm 35 in mov- Ving Vinto its resetting positionengages the arm 33 controlled by the electromagnet 31 andis locked with said arm 33 to be unlocked therefrom upon a second denergization of said magnet. In the unoperated position of said tube or sleeve 50 the locking arm 69 is held by the pin 74 carried by said s leeve50 from coperation with the resetting arm 41, as is shown in Fig. 7.

governing means,

moved by its spring 70 into locking engagement with the pin 7 8 secured in said shaft 29 to thereby hold the resetting arm against a second movement or its release by the electromagnet 31 until the component parts of the valve mechanism Iare again yentirely reset.

Theinal movement of the yoke by said spring 51serves to move the rod V75 into engagement with the latch 27 thereby moving it from coperation with. the enlarged portion 14 of the stem of said valve and consequently permitting said valve to close. Due to leakage of steam around said piston 7, the balance of pressure is now restored on each .side of said piston and the main valve 5 is closed valve, means normally biased to closed position to govern the opening and closing of said valve, means to opensaid governing means, and a time element actuated through a movement of said valve to open position to govern the subsequent -duration of opening of said governing means. 2. A yvalve -mechanism for controlling the low of elastic fluid, including a normally closed valve, means normally biased to closed position to govern the opening and closing of said valve, means to open said and means actuated through a movement of said valve to open position to delay the closing of said governing means.

3. A valve mechanism for controlling the flow -of elastic fluid, including a normally closed main valve, means normally biased to closed position tov govern the opening and closing of said valve, said means' including a pilot valve, means responsive to external control to cause the operation of said governing means to move the pilot valve t0 open Vposition to cause said main valve to move toropen position, means to lock said pilot valve in open position during a movement of said main valve to open position and for a period of time thereafter, means actuated through movement of said main valve to open position to delay the unlocking of said pilot valve and subsequently permit said pilot valve to close Ato cause the closing of said main valve.V

4. A valve mechanism for controlling the flow of elastic fluid, including a normally closed main valve, a pilot valve biased to closed position Lfor governing the `move- Y Vto external control to canse the opening of movements of said main valve, operatingmeans for said pilot valve normally biased for open position of said pilot valve, said operating means being normally looked in closed position, means for releasing the lock on said'operating-means to open said pilot valve to cause said main valve to move to open position, and resetting means for said operating means operated through la movement of said main valve.

6. A valve mechanism for controlling the flow of elastic fluid, including a main valve, a pilot valve for controlling the operation of the main valve, means for opening the pilot valve through an external control, a main valve resetting means, operating in one direction to control closing movement of the pilot valve and reset the pilot valve opening means, anda lock to secure the pilot valve opening means against movement through external control during the4 return of the resetting means to substantially full normal position.

A valve mechanism for controlling the flow of elastic Huid, including a normally closed main valve, a pilot valve normally biased to closed positionfor governing the movement of said main valve, means to open said pilot valve, locking means tending to maintain said pilot valve in open position When opened, and means operated by a movement of said main valve and including a time`element for delaying the releasing of said lock after movement of said main valve into open position to permit said pilot valve to return to closed position.

8. A valve mechanism for controlling the flow of elastic iiuid, including a normally closed main valve, a pilot valve normally biased to closed position for governing the movement of said main valve, operatingmeans for said pilot valve normally restrained from operation, releasing-means for said operating-means, locking-means adapted to maintain said pilot valve in open position subsequent to the opening of said main valve, resetting-means for said operating-means operated through movement of said main valve to open position, and time-controlled releasing-means for said locking-means, whereby said pilot valve may be permitted to close, to cause the closing of said main valve.

9. A valve mechanism for controlling the flow of elastic 'luid, including a normally closed main valve, a lpilot valve normally biased to closedposition for governing the movement of said main valve, pilot valve operating mechanism, an operating member, links comprising toggle members pivotally connected to said operating mechanismand member, and time-controlled means for governing vthe closing of said pilot valve.

10. A valve mechanism for controlling the iiow of elastic fluid including a normally closed main valve, a pilot valve normally biased to closed position for governing the movement of said main valve, and operating mechanism for said pilot valve, said mechanism including toggle'members maintained in normal closed position to permit said pilot valve tovbe closed, means forl normally restraining said operating mechanism in closed position and responsive to external control for releasing said operating mechanism to cause said mechanism to open said pilot valve, and means operated through movement of the main valve to reset said operating means.

11. A valve mechanism for controlling the flow of elastic fluid including a normally closed main valve, a pilot valve for controlling the opening and closing of saidlmain valve, means responsive-to external control` to open said pilot valve to cause the opening voi" said main valve, resetting means for the aforesaid means operated through movement of said main valve, and Vmeans vto lock the external control rresponsive means against subsequent external control arranged to release the lock on said responsive means subsequent to the closing of the main valve.

12. A valve mechanism for controlling the HOW of elastic fluid, including a normally closed main valve, means for controlling the opening and closing of said valve, means responsive to external control for operating the aforesaid means, locking-means for 'the external control responsivev means operated to lock said means through a movement of the valve in one direction, and operated through a movement of the valve in the i other direction to unlock said means.

13. A valve mechanism for controlling the lovv of elastic fluids, including a normally closed main valve, governing means for said main valve, means responsive to external control to release said governingmeans to.

operation or' said operating mechanism toopen said pilot valve to cause the opening of said main valve, resetting means for said operating mechanism and said external control responsive means operated through a movement of said main valve to .open position, means `'operated through a movement of said main valve to open position, to lock said operating mechanism and said external control responsive means and operative through ymovement or said main valve to closed posi'- tion to unlock'said mechanism and said responsive means.

16. Avalve mechanism for controlling the flow of elastic fluid, including a main valve, a pilot valve for said main valve, means responsive to external control to cause the opening of said pilot Valve to cause a movement or' said main valve to open position, means to lock said pilot valve in open position, and means actuated through a movement of said main valve to subsequently open position to release the locking means of saidpilot Valve. l

17. A valve mechanism for controlling the floW of elastic fluid, including a main valve, controlling means for said valve, and means including a time element operated through a movement of said valve to open position to subsequently operate said controlling` means to cause the closing of said main valve.

f 18. A valve mechanism for controlling the lovv of elastic fluid, including a main valve, governing means for said valve, and controlling means for said governing means including a time element adapted to be operated through a movement of said valve into vopen position to cause the closing of said main valve after a period of rest in full open position.

19. A valve mechanism for controlling the flow of elastic liuid, including a main valve, controllinganeans therefor, a bracket by which -said controlling-means is Y supported, said bracket having an attaching face a predetermined distance belovv said Ycontrolling means adapted to receive a plate of insulating material or' variable thickness, a plate of insulating material received on said attaching face, an electro-magnet for said controlling means carried by said insulating plate on the face thereof to Which said bracket is secured, said electro-magnet hav-v ing a predetermined height and position with respect to said controlling means, said arrangement comprising means whereby variations in the thickness of said insulating plate do not affect the relative positions of said magnet and controlling means and whereby said magnet is insulated from said valve mechanism.

20. A valve mechanism for controlling the flow 01E elastic fluid, including a main valve, a pilot valve, operating-means for said pilot valve including toggle members in normally 'closed position, a spring normally tending to open said toggle, locking-means for said operating-means, a spring normally tending to' release said locking-means, and externally controlledv means for said locking means, said locking-means and spring and `operating-means bei-ng so disposed in normal position as to impose but slight strain upon said externally controlled means.

ln testimony whereof, I have signedv my name to this specification, in the presence or' tivo subscribing Witnesses.l

- A- FREDERICK W. COLE.

v Witnesses: l

GEORGE E. KING, DANIEL J. FARMAN. 

